Running tracks to be relocated to El-Wak Stadium

Accra, Dec 5, GNA - The athletics running tracks at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium in Accra is to be relocated to the E-Wak sports stadium to enable the national stadium meet the 40,000 capacity seating capacity required by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) for the hosting of the Nations Cup competitions.

According to the contractors assigned to renovate the stadium for the hosting of CAN 2008 by Ghana, the site that would be recovered from the running tracks will be dugged four meters down for the creation of new seats so as to meet the 40,000 all-sitting arrangement. Micheleti and Company Limited, the contractors assigned to renovate the stadium are to simultaneously renovate the El Wak Stadium and put it in a better shape for sporting activities to continue whilst the Accra stadium remains closed for the renovation works.

As part of the plan, an eight lane tartan tracks will be constructed with new dressing rooms while the washrooms for both the fans and sports men and women will be renovated in four months time after the commencement of the renovation exercise at the Accra Stadium. Mr Jimmy Castagna, Project Manager of Micheleti and Company Limited who disclosed this to the GNA Sports during an inspection said the Osu Stand will be pulled down and extended and a replica of the May 9 Stand will be erected at the Independence Square end as part of the plans to meet the requirement of a standard stadium.

Mr Charles Aryeh, the Acting Chief Executive of the National Sports Council (NSC) told the GNA Sports that his outfit would send notices to the various associations and bodies under it by the close of the week to inform them on the start of renovation works at the stadium. He said all the associations are therefore expected to relocate to the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex at Kaneshie, which is also under renovation.

Mr Aryeh said the NSC will hold further meetings with the contractors and by the close of December the stadium will be officially handed to the contractors to start work.

He said the renovation works would also affect part of the tennis courts and the swimming pool as well as the Sports Hall.